Back-lit handlebar control assembly

• US 6,695,090 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorcycle Riders Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motorcycle Riders Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: McAllister, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/784,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 180/315, 180/332, 180/333, 200/61.85, 200/310, 200/313, 200/314, 744/84.R, 744/88, 477/172
• US Class Current: 180/333
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2028 Handle bar type

Abstract

A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar includes a front control housing and a rear control housing that are joined together at each end of the handlebars where an operator typically would grip. The control housing includes back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the front portion of the control housing for easy access and nighttime vision by the operator.

Claims

1. A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising:

a) a front control housing with control button passages therethrough;

b) back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the control button passages and extending from an electrical switch control assembly;

c) a rear control housing joining the front control housing, enclosing the electrical switch assembly and securing the back-lit handlebar control assembly to the handlebar; and

d) a turn signal connected to the handlebar control assembly activated to indicate a turn by actuation of one of the buttons.

2. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 1, further comprising a brake assembly attached to the rear control housing that is connected to the handlebar control assembly engageable to slow the vehicle.

3. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 1, wherein the front housing and rear housing are separately tightened together.

4. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 1, wherein the buttons control starting of the vehicle, turning the vehicle off, blinkers, headlights and a horn.

5. A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising:

(a) a front control housing with control button passages therethrough;

(b) back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the control button passages and extending from an electrical switch assembly, each button comprised of a back-lit elastomer over a light conducting element engageable with the switch assembly, and a light; and

(c) a rear control housing joining the front control housing, enclosing the electrical switch assembly and securing the back-lit handlebar control assembly to the handlebar.

6. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 5, further comprising a turn signal connected to the handlebar control assembly activated to indicate a turn by actuation of one of the buttons.

7. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 5, further comprising a brake assembly attached to the rear control housing that is connected to the handlebar control assembly engageable to slow the vehicle.

8. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 5, wherein the front housing and rear housing are separately tightened together.

9. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 5, further comprising an LED light on the switch assembly to illuminate the indicia on the control buttons for button visibility in low light conditions.

10. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 5, wherein the buttons control starting of the vehicle, turning the vehicle off, blinkers, headlights and a horn.

11. A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising:

(a) a front control housing with control button passages therethrough;

(b) back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the control button passages and extending from an electrical switch control assembly;

each button comprised of a back-lit elastomer with indicia molded over a light conducting element engageable with the switch assembly and an LED light; and

(c) a rear control housing joining the front control housing, enclosing the electrical switch assembly and securing the back-lit handlebar control assembly to the handlebar.

12. The back-lit handlebar assembly of claim 11, further comprising a turn signal connected to the handlebar control assembly to indicate a turn by actuation of one of the buttons.

13. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 11, further comprising a brake assembly attached,to the rear control housing that is connected to the handlebar control assembly engageable to slow the vehicle.

14. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 11, wherein the front housing and rear housing are separately tightened together.

15. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 11, wherein the buttons control starting of the vehicle, turning the vehicle off, blinkers, headlights and a horn.

16. A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising:

(a) a front control housing with control button passages therethrough;

(b) back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the control button passages and extending from an electrical switch control assembly; and

(c) a rear control housing joining the front control housing, enclosing the electrical switch assembly and securing the back-lit handlebar control assembly to the handlebar, wherein the control buttons are each comprised of a back-lit elastomer with indicia molded over a light conducting element engageable with the switch assembly.

17. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 16, further comprising a brake assembly attached to the rear control housing that is connected to the handlebar control assembly engageable to slow the vehicle.

18. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 16, wherein the front housing and rear housing are separately tightened together.

19. A back-lit handlebar control assembly for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising:

(a) a front control housing with control button passages therethrough;

(b) back-lit control buttons with indicia thereon partially passing through the control button passages and extending from an electrical switch control assembly;

c) a rear control housing joining the front control housing, enclosing the electrical switch assembly and securing the back-lit handlebar control assembly to the handlebar; and

(d) an LED light on the switch assembly in contact with a light conducting element to illuminate the indicia on the control buttons for button visibility in low light conditions.

20. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 19, further comprising a turn signal connected to the handlebar control assembly activated to indicate a turn by actuation of one of the buttons.

21. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 19, further comprising a brake assembly attached to the rear control housing that is connected to the handlebar control assembly engageable to slow the vehicle.

22. The back-lit handlebar control assembly of claim 19, wherein the front housing and rear housing are separately tightened together.